Dixie State University’s annual research symposium available online now

Dixie State University’s
fourth annual Regional Symposium for Research, Innovation, and Creativity
transitioned to an online format in light of the COVID-19 pandemic this year,
making student research currently available for the community’s perusal.

Students participate in Dixie State University’s 2018 Regional Symposium for Research, Innovation, and Creativity. This year’s event is available online.

Organized by the university’s Undergraduate Research Office, the symposium features
more than 40 presentations prepared by more than 50 students in different
formats such as live videos, recorded presentations and digital posters. The
online symposium is available at https://dixie.instructure.com/courses/614352.

“Undergraduate research
is a high-impact academic practice that allows students to experience firsthand
what their future career would demand or what they will have to do in graduate
school. It is also an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into an area of
interest and to work closely with a faculty mentor,” Dr. Olga Pilkington,
assistant director of undergraduate research at Dixie State, said. “Undergraduate
research is a practice open to all students at Dixie State, and the symposium
reflects the breadth and diversity of research subjects and creative activities
at the university.”

Open to any scholarly research or creative work conducted by
active scholars at various stages in their careers, the symposium fosters
collaboration between the campus and community while building partnerships
across academic disciplines. Scholars from all academic disciplines are
encouraged to participate to stimulate interdisciplinary discourse and
explore the range of academic scholarship beyond the traditional
classroom.

In addition to the symposium, all presenters have the opportunity
to be published in Dixie State’s academic publication, Curiosity: Interdisciplinary
Journal of Research and Innovation.

As part of the virtual format, the organizers — Dr. Rico Del
Sesto, director of undergraduate research at Dixie State, and Pilkington —
provided opportunities for presenters and attendees to interact via online
discussions dedicated to each presentation. Additionally, a virtual guest book
provides opportunities for feedback.

The digital infrastructure created for this year’s symposium will be used by the
university for future conferences.